Puyol: Messi award shared at Barcelona

Carles Puyol has backed Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi to earn yet more plaudits after winning his third consecutive Ballon d’Or.

Argentine forward Messi collected his latest accolade at a ceremony in Zurich on Monday, becoming the first player since Michel Platini to win the Ballon d’Or three times in succession.

Messi’s club colleague Xavi finished made the cut into the final three nominees for the third consecutive year, and team-mate Andres Iniesta missed out on the top three altogether, having been second in 2010.

“Of course we would all be overjoyed if Xavi or Andres also won because they deserve it too,” Puyol said.

“But what I would say is that he (Messi) has to break all the records. He can do that and he has that ambition to do so and I believe that he will do it.”

“I think that inside our squad we really are a family and so these awards are all ours.”

“I also think that it’s for this reason that we have had the results that we have had.”

“We will carry on in this manner. I believe that this is one of our strengths.”

Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola took out the FIFA Coach of the Year award after leading his team to La Liga and Champions League titles.

The 40-year-old has consistently rejected opportunities to tie his long-term future to the club, signing one-year rolling contracts despite being offered lengthier deals.

Nevertheless, Puyol is hopeful the most successful coach in the club’s history will remain at Camp Nou for the foreseeable future.

“I think it’s very clear that Guardiola is very important to us,” he said.

“Every day we learn something from him. He is the best coach in the world.”

“That has now been recognized with him winning the award as best coach.”

“I really hope that he continues here for many more years to come.”

“The players will continue to listen to all his advice so that the team can continue to grow (and) continue to play well and hopefully win all the titles that are possible.”